Actuating mechanism for pneumatically-operated musical instruments.



PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

R. W. PAIN.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PNEUMATIGALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION rum) 11.23. 1901.

. INVENZOR.

W/TNESSES:

UNITED STATES ROBERT .WILLIARD PAIN, OF NEW YORK, N.

PATENT OFFICE.

Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE AEOLIAN COMPANY, A

CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed January 23. 1907. Serial No, 353581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT VVILLIARD PAIN, a citizen of United States, and. resident of borough of h'lanhattan, city, county,

and State oi New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Actuating Mechanism for Pneumatically-Operatcd hlusical Instruments, of which the following is a specification accompanied by drawings.

This invention relates to actuating mechanism for pneumatically operated musical instruments, more particularly to improve- .ments in secondary or striking pneumatics for actuating sound producing devices for instruments.

The obiects of the invention are to increase the rapidity of recovery or inflation of the striking pneumatic after the sound producing device has been actuated, and avoid the time interval due to slow ingress of air under atmospheric pressure as the movable board of the pneumatic resumes its normal position when suction is relieved.

liurther objects of the invention will hereinafter appear and to these ends the invention consists of actuating mechanism for carrying out the above objects embodying the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts having the general mode of operation substantially as hereinafter fully described and claimed in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of actuating mechanism emlimdying the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation partly in section of the mechanism; Fig. 3 is a view similar tol ig. l in which the secondary pneumatic is shown in a different position or partially collapsed; Fig. 4. is a top plan view of the secondary pneumatic showing the secondary valve.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a secondary or striking pneumatic for a pneumatically actuated musical instrument, and B is the rodt'or actuating the sound producing device, it being understood that these parts comprise portions of the mechanism of the mechanical musical instrument having I the usual tracker board, a perforated music sheet for controlling the admission of air to the ducts C, primary pneumatics D adapted to be actuated through the agency of the air in said ducts and operating valves E which control the secondary pneumatics A.

In the present instance the secondary pneumatic A is adapted to be operated by suction, and when air under atmospheric pressure is admitted through one of the ducts or tracker board passages C to the lower side of the primary pneumatic D, the suction in the chamber F will cause said pneumatic to close the valve G and open the primary valve H, thereby admitting air under atmospheric pressure to the lower side of the pneumatic I so that suction in the chamber J will cause said pneumatic to open the suction or main valve E and apply suction to the secondary pneumatic A to cause it to actuate one of the sound producing devices. The valve E is preferably constructed of suitable flexible material andis secured at the point K at one side of the valve opening L so that the valve is in efl'ect hinged at the point K, although any other suitable construction may be provided. l/Vhen the tracker board passage C is closed again the valve E is automatically closed in the usual manner, and the primary valve H is also closed. A primary valve opening 0 is provided in the immovable board P of the seconiilary pneumatic, and said opening 0 is ad apted. to be controlled by the primary valve II, said valve being preferably oi flexible material and secured at the point Q to the valve chest, thereby forming in effect a hinged valve. \Vhen the secondary pneumatic A is to be actuated for striking purposes, the primary valve II closes the valve opening and prevents the admission of air to the secondary pneumatic A, and when the primary valve II falls, atmospheric air is admitted through the opening 0 to the secondary pneumatic to permit the movable board It to resume its normal position.

One of the objects of this invention is to enable air under atmospheric pressure to be admitted more freely to the secondary pneumatic A after the suction has been relieved, and thereby permit the movable board R to resume its normal position more quickly than heretofore. The movable board R is provided with a secondary valve opening S and the valve T controlling the same, which is adapted to be operated in accordance with the tension of the air in the secondary pneumatic A. In the present instance this secondary valve T comprises a flexible sheet'or strip of material, as for instance leather or any other suitable material, which is preferably secured at one end to the movable board at U while the other end is left free and is connected to a retracting spring V, suitably secured to the movable board R as by means of the staple W. Preferably the sheet of flexible material forming the valve T is provided with a cleat X to which the spring is connected. As shown, the outer portion of the movable board R is dished or cupped at Y around the valve opening S so that when the flexible sheet T is pulled taut by the spring V, there will be an opening between the sheet T and the bottom of the dished portion Y, affording provision for the entrance of air under atmospheric pressure through the valve opening S to the secondary pneumatic.

In Fig. 3 the secondary pneumatic is shown partially collapsed asit is about to strike when suction is applied through the opening L, in which case the flexible valve T will be drawn or sucked into the dished portion Y of thfe'movable board R, thereby tightly closing the secondary valve opening at S, and preventing admission of air. As soon as suction is relieved, air enters through the primary valve opening 0 and the tension of the spring V is relieved, which thereby pulls the flexible secondary valve T tight again, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby opening the secondary valve opening S and permitting air under atmospheric pressure to freely enter the secondary pneumatic, which enables the movable board R to resume its norformed of suitable flexible material Z, which is sufficiently elastic to aid in the rapidity of action of the valves. 4

The construction of the actuating mechanism in accordance with this invention forms in effect pneumatic means for incre'as ing the rapidity of action of the secondary pneumatic. The secondary valve T is adapted to automatically close when suction is applied to the secondary pneumatic, and open automatically when suction is relieved. This secondary valve T also excludes atmospheric air from the secondary pneumatic when striking and admits atmospheric air freely 111) 011 I'GCOVGI'Y.

2. In actuating mechanism for pneumatically operated musical instruments, the combination of a pneumatic having a movable board dished on its outer side and provided with a valve opening in said dished portion of the board, and a flexible valve in the form of a sheet of material fastened to the board at one side of the valve opening, a spring being connected to the other free end of said sheet of material to maintain the valve normally tight across the dished portionof the board.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT WILLIARD PAIN.

Witnesses:

A. W. SPENOE, W. O. MANSFIELD. 

